murphaph

Anyone else getting this: "Sorry, an unknown server error occurred when uploading this file. (Error code: IMG_20240718_173043_493.jpg could not be saved.)" when trying to upload pics? All around 13Mb in size.

You might say it's a model thread. I'll get my coat.

The buffer spacing was very different between the 121 and 141/181 on the prototype? I'm not detecting any heat or disrespect in this thread to be honest, just a good mannered discussion about the merits of both ways of doing things. I would counter the "sure we're using tension locks" argument by reminding readers that IRM provides an alternative to said tension locks by including much more prototypical coupling options in the accessories bag. The tension locks are fitted by default but the magnetic hose type couplings supplied with the new coaching stock for example are superb and far closer to reality.

No I meant the prototype.

Bump. I don't think so looking at the pics but maybe Fran @Warbonnet can confirm.

That's an interesting pic. Those locos were built on the same chassis right? The buffers shoud be in exactly the same place on the prototype. I guess MM went for GB spacing on hos early 141 toolings and then opted for a more protypical width on the 121s.

Hi John, I don't know if you mean me when you say people are getting "worked up" (you quoted me and then wrote that under your quote but perhaps you were speaking more generally at that stage). I can only speak for myself when I say that I am not getting worked up, just communicating my own sentiments in a calm and collected manner. I have learned that by remaining silent it is often taken as agreement or acceptance. I just want to give the lads in IRM my feedback. I would prefer scale buffer spacing on all IRM stock. If that's not an opinion that's widely held then that's my tough luck, and I'll work around it but if I don't communicate my sentiments to the company then they can't know that there are people like me who would rather it like that. That's all

The buffer is glued into a hole on the buffer beam. To move mine out I reckon I'll drill new holes and glue the buffers into those, assuming I can extract the glued in buffer cleanly. There is definitely no right or wrong decision here and I believe everyone gets that. The decision to produce these wagons to a GB buffer spacing is not invalid and genuine reasons can be presented for doing so, but as @DJ Dangerous says, perhaps there could have been some discussion here on the forum about it before a final decision was made. We have grown used to IRM wagons having exactly prototyplical dimensions wherever possible, so for some of us it has come a little out of the blue to find this change of tack.

I am almost sure I remember reading that this would be the case as it is basically impossible to hide the gauge/scale mismatch on a steam loco and it looks daft as you say so a compromise has to be made with most steam, especially ones with splashers. The buffer spacing is more of a choice though, to remain compatible with resprayed GB models or to manufacture true to scale. I can envision IRM stock displacing most of the resprayed GB wagons running on our railways in time so think the buffer spacing issue is less of an issue than we might think. In any case, folks could certainly continue running GB spec wagons in trains that only contain wagons with that buffer spacing and run scale buffer width wagons in other trains, if the mismatch bothers them.

My opinion, for what it's worth and without wishing to rub anyone up the wrong way, is that the buffer spacing should be to scale like (most, all?) previous IRM wagons. The correct width bogies under Irish coaches give them a very different stance to GB stock of the same design. Similarly, the buffer spacing is a distinct characteristic of a wagon. I understand that images of pre-production samples were published but without a scale reference nobody would have been able to tell that they were not to scale width from those images so I don't think we can really infer anything either way. I will definitely not be returning my Bulleid stock or cancelling my upcoming orders however. The wagons are far too nice for any of that and worst case scenario it's going to be a lot less work to move the buffers out on these rather than scratch build dozens of wagons but I think a poll on future buffer spacing might be a good idea here to get some feedback. If a majority prefer GB buffer spacing, then so be it, those of us who prefer the Irish spacing that we have become accustomed to from IRM will surely manage if that's the path that is taken. As MAL mentioned above, the previous poll was specifically on 21mm track, rather than anything to do with buffer spacing so a new poll would be useful I feel.

Ah that's a shame. I understand the reasoning though.

@BosKonay will this fulfillment direct from China be the norm from now on? I like it and it seems to work well, but we only get the tracking number for the last leg, be that Fastway in Ireland or DHL in Germany or whatever. That means in my case I only get a "your parcel is in Germany" and then 24 hours later the postman is ringing the doorbell. There is a YunExpress tracking number that would be more useful as folks could track the package all the way from China and know it's in transit. It would surely lead to fewer mails to support too. Would it be possible to provide this tracking number as well as the local number?

Got mine as well today and they look lovely. Looks like the wagons came straight from China in less than 2 weeks. Good going! That's much faster than shipping them all via Dublin I guess

Yeah for the most part these things were kept pretty clean. The coach ends, especially the more exposed outer ends got grubby and the coach wash couldn't really get in there to clean them. The roof line above the gutter was cleaned by the washer a little bit so the roof requires a feather (masked high) when doing the dirt coat. I was kind of surprised at how black and sooty the louvres on the genny got but that's what the photographic evidence seems to show.

Bit of weathering of these fine coaches...

What a little beauty

They really look the part.

The lights are sublime on these. You can just picture them on a wintry Friday evening service to some far flung provincial town, packed with people glad of the warmth inside. Absolutely cracking models. I bought the two IR sets and one IE set (to get the buffet) with a view to selling the three black roofed IE ones on but I can't part with them now. I model 1995ish so the black roof is a no-go so I'll be respraying the roof in all over orange.

You should probably send them a support mail John as you are specifically asked not to combine pre-orders from different product lines in case one line arrives much later than the other and the first line is out of stock before the second line arrives. Stock is not held for a customer until all the pre-orders are in stock AFAIK so your open wagons might be sold to someone else if you don't sort it out with a request for support. There are only a handful left in stock so get your skates on

She looks right at home there Patrick!

Very informative chaps. Thanks!

Were these types of tanks also used for molasses traffic?

Shame they don't do the free entry for members of the public at the weekend anymore.

Where D's look like O's and R's look like A's

I got a dispatch notification email on Friday.